ANSI-NEMA FL-1

On August 18, 2009, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved a new specification standardizing flashlight performance. The standard was developed by the Flashlight Standards Committee of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). The committee consisted of a number of flashlight manufacturers. The resulting specification is called ANSI/NEMA FL-1. As with many technical specifications, the full standard can only be purchased from ANSI or NEMA.

The purpose of the standard is to allow consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons of lights and to eliminate exaggerated light performance by quoting "emitter lumens" or "out-the-front lumens". The tests can be performed by the manufacturer or an independent lab. The necessary equipment and calibration makes this an expensive undertaking.

The FL-1 Standard

Here is information that is known from public sources. Performance of flashlights is measured using new batteries included with the light when purchased or, if no batteries are included, the batteries recommended by the packaging. There are six criteria used:

Light Output

Total lumens of output, measured in an integrating sphere after the light has been on for 3 minutes. This gives time for the LED to get hot and the battery voltage to sag which will usually decrease the output.

Runtime

The amount of continuous runtime (in minutes) for the light output to drop to 10% of its original value (measured 30 seconds after turning the light on). This test is done in an integrating sphere just like the lumen test with light output measured every 15 minutes. In the past, some testers used 50% to be a little more practical, but with most batteries, the drop-off is usually pretty quick and the time between 50% and 10% usually is not long.

Peak Beam Intensity

Light intensity in candela at the brightest part of the beam. A lux reading in the brightest portion of the beam is taken at some distance with the light on its brightest mode and tightest focus at some point between 30 and 120 seconds of turning the light on. The lux reading is multiplied by the square of the distance in meters to get candela. Regardless of the distance at which the reading is taken, you should end up with the same value in candela, therefore the measurement is independent of distance. A lux reading taken at 1 meter distance is the same as candela (since 1 squared is 1).

Beam Distance

The distance in meters at which the flashlight produces a light intensity of 0.25 lux. This is not very bright, about equal to a full moon. This distance is not actually measured. Instead the value is calculated by taking the peak beam intensity measured above, dividing by 0.25 lux, and taking the square root of the result. For example, the Quark AA has a peak beam intensity of 1,622 cd. Divide this by 0.25 to get 6,488. Now take the square root to get 80.55. This agrees with the value on the packaging, which is rounded to 81 meters.

Water Resistance

There are three possible ratings:

IPX4 "Water resistant" Light can be splashed with water from all directions without water getting inside.

IPX7 "Water proof" The light can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Water can leak into the light, but not into areas with electronics or batteries. The light must still operate when removed from the water and then is tested again 30 minutes after being removed.

IPX8 "Submersible" The light can be submerged for 4 hours to some depth greater than 1 meter. The depth would be specified, e.g. IPX8 10 meters. Realistically the light is not put in the given depth of water, but instead is completely submerged in a container and the pressure is then increased to simulate the depth.

Impact Resistance

Height, in meters, from which the light (including batteries) can be dropped onto concrete without cracking or breaking and still function. Lights are dropped while in the Off position and allowed to come to rest before inspecting for damage. For ratings over 1 meter, each sample light is dropped six times with different faces towards the ground.